Following Me(63)

He leaned forward and kissed her lips. Her eyes fluttered closed as she breathed him in. This had been happening all week, and every time he pulled back, it made her want more. His kisses were intoxicating, leaving a heady haze over her mind when he touched her lips.

She pushed herself toward him, trying to close the distance between their bodies. She snaked her hands up and gripped his collar between her fingers. As their tongues met, Devon groaned softly. Her body was on fire. She couldn’t get enough of him.

Brennan’s hand trailed along the exposed skin on the small of her back, and she shivered. He chuckled, pulling back to look at her.

“I like when you get all riled up,” he said huskily, pressing and lacing their hands together.

“You do it so easily,” she said, her voice betraying her desire.

“And in public no less.”

Devon flushed all over, glancing around at the people near them. She was sure some of them had noticed, but she hadn’t even thought about it. She had never been big on public displays of affection either…but this was Brennan.

“And there’s that blush,” he said with a laugh. “Damn, do I love that.”

She ducked her head and smacked his shoulder playfully. “Shush!”

“This is our stop.” He dragged her to her feet and kissed her full on the mouth again.

She wobbled against him, her mind going blank.

When he released her, he chuckled again and pulled her along. “Come on, you.”

They walked through the streets until they reached a park in front of the Navy Pier. She had been up here twice before. The first time was with Garrett during her first week in the city. The second time, she had wanted some time to relax. She had brought her journal and sat by the pier, writing lyrics until she thought her brain would explode. Then, big fat water droplets had begun falling all over the pages, and the waves had started crashing higher. She had ducked out of there as soon as she could get away. She hadn’t been back since.

“Navy Pier?” She wondered if this was the surprise.

Then, she looked closer. It was packed with people. Children were everywhere, attached to their parents or running around like mad. Boats filled the harbor, stretching out as far as she could see. Big heavy sails held taut on enormous sailboats. The lighthouse stood out in the distance like a beacon against the cloudless horizon.

“Why is it so busy?” she asked.

Brennan’s smile was contagious, and she found herself standing on her tiptoes to kiss him again. He laughed and picked her up, swinging her around in a circle. Devon giggled, burying her face into his shoulder.

“I think I’m going to love being with you everywhere I go,” he whispered into her hair.

“Me, too,” she confirmed.

After setting her gently back on her feet, he kissed her forehead, her nose, both cheeks, her chin, and finally, he planted a firm kiss on her mouth. She tried to keep the kiss going, but he pulled back.

“There are too many people here. We should just go back,” Devon said, wrapping her arms around his waist.

“You don’t even know what you’re in for,” he said with a chuckle.

Brennan walked her away from Navy Pier, leading her off to the right toward the park holding her hand once more. His hand was big and warm. She had petite hands, and his dwarfed hers in comparison. She liked it.

She was starting to get really curious about where they were going and what was happening. She was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. Brennan kept looking at her from out of the corner of his eye. His smile grew wider at her enthusiasm.

“So…really, what are we doing?” she asked as they passed through the small park.

“Have you ever heard of the Chicago to Mackinac Race?”

“No.” Walking at his side, she stared at all the huge boats docked.

They walked, crossed the end of the park, and stepped out onto a sidewalk leading up to the water. Devon looked up at the building that stood before the docks and read DuSable Harbor on the side.

“Well, it’s a huge sailing tournament. Hundreds of sailboats flood the lake to sail from here to the island on the north coast of Lake Michigan. It’s over three hundred miles.”

Brennan took a right and started walking away from the Pier side of the harbor.

“Wow,” she said, surprised she had never heard of this.

“It’s hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club, which is that building,” he said, pointing it out from their vantage point on the harbor.

“Oh, fancy,” she said, wondering if it was anything like the country clubs at home.

Brennan shrugged. “I suppose so. Anyway, I’ve actually sailed to Mackinac Island a couple times in the competition. Decided to sit it out this year, and I’m glad I did.”

“Why?” she asked, trying to keep her mouth from falling open.

Brennan knew how to sail and was good enough to enter competitions? What else didn’t she know about him?

“Because now I get to spend today with you.” He took a turn, walking down one of the busy wooden docks.

Devon smiled brightly, giddy from his compliments and the impending surprise. They walked down the dock, stopped at the very end, and faced a pretty imposing-looking boat. She didn’t know anything about boats. Well, she knew nothing more than the one her parents had at their lake house. Even then, she hadn’t been all that interested in much more than tanning, tubing, and drinking.